Bill H.2850
188th (2013 - 2014)

An Act establishing a special commission to identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state agencies, programs and services

Bill Title: An Act establishing a special commission to identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state agencies, programs and services

By Messrs. Lewis of Winchester and Vieira of Falmouth, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 2850) of Jason M. Lewis and others for an investigation by a special commission (including members of the General Court) to identify opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state agencies, programs and services. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.

There shall be a special commission to study and make recommendations concerning functional overlaps and other redundancies among state agencies and opportunities to promote efficiency and accountability in state government. The commission shall consist of 17 members: 3 of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the house; 2 of whom shall be appointed by the house minority leader; 3 of whom shall be appointed by the senate president; 2 of whom shall be appointed by the senate minority leader; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the state auditor; 1 of whom shall be appointed by the state treasurer; and 5 of whom shall be appointed by the governor. The speaker of the house and the senate president shall determine which 2 members of the commission shall serve as co-chairpersons.

The commission shall identify ways to eliminate overlaps and redundancies among state agencies and make such other recommendations as the commission deems appropriate, with the goal of reducing costs to the state and enhancing the quality and accessibility of state services to the public. The commission shall consider merging or consolidating state agencies and programs if such action would reduce costs without adversely impacting the quality of services. The commission shall also seek to identify opportunities to maximize revenues, such as federal grants and matching funds.

The commission may hold hearings and invite testimony from experts and the public. The commission shall review and identify best practices learned from similar efforts in other states, such as the state of Connecticut’s commission on enhancing agency outcomes which reported its findings and recommendations in December of 2010.

The agency head and staff of each state agency under consideration by the commission shall ensure that any data, information or materials that the commission requests for purposes of its review and deliberations are provided to the commission in a timely manner.

Members of the commission shall be named and the commission shall commence its work within 60 days of the effective date of this act. The commission shall report to the general court the results of its investigation and study, and recommendations, if any, together with drafts of legislation necessary to carry its recommendations into effect by filing the same with the clerks of the senate and the house of representatives on or before January 2, 2015. The clerks of the house and senate shall make the report available to the public through the internet.

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